Posts with the category “lent-devotional-2025”
Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21
by Sarah Rugenstone on March 25th, 2025
Pastor Sarah preached the Ash Wednesday Service and she challenged us to consider a different kind of fast - of justice and kindness. It's a must see as you journey through this season. John 2:13-24Jesus in Jerusalem at Passover13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 He found in the temple those who were selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as those i... Read More
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Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20
by Emma Jane on March 24th, 2025
COURTBy Emma JaneYour Holy court is the place I long to dwellTo sit at your feet, and pour out my sweet vesselLike Mary who came before me, with everything to giveYour temple should be Holy without the sellers to make profitThe merchants who go at the fore in my soul I know them to bleatInattention to what is righteous and loud voices of greedOh Lord, wreck the temple I’ve built with all my foes a... Read More
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A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19
by Sarah Rugenstone on March 23rd, 2025
a holy rage by Sarah RugenstoneDon’t they know I serve our God of holyrage?Don’t they know passion for God’s houseconsumes me?it rises up and flushes my cheeks,radiates frenzied echos of heatthrough all my limbs,a holy rageemerges whenGod’s houseis made into a denfor wolves in sheepsclothingmy words will be for you, God,like a whip tied from ropesin anger, I’ll strike, I’ll tear acrossthe places t... Read More
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Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18
by Nick Haynes on March 22nd, 2025
“Cassie” by Flyleaf was written to honor Cassie Bernall, one of the victims of the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. According to some of the people that were inside during the shooting, the shooters asked Cassie if she believed in God. When she said yes, they killed her. It’s a very vivid and understandable story about being willing to overcome fear to stand for your faith, even when you kn... Read More
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Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17
by The Gathering on March 21st, 2025
Unsteady by Ambassador XThis garden moment is like no other we see from Jesus. Unsteady speaks to the surprise and shock of Jesus sweating blood and praying to God. In your unsteady moments, what do you do? What do you pray? Matthew 26: 36-3936 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, “Stay here while I go and pray over there.” 37 When he took Pete... Read More
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Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16
by The Gathering on March 20th, 2025
Exhausted, Tamela Mann sings that only the King can receive her tattered offering. Jesus was tired, sad, and yes even afraid. And he surrenders to God’s will not his own. Consider what you need to bring to the King. Then leave it there at the altar. Matthew 26: 36-3936 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, “Stay here while I go and pray over the... Read More
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Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15
by The Gathering on March 19th, 2025
Sometimes Christian contemporary music missed the mark. But let's appreciate how "Even If" by MercyMe holds the tension of our will and God’s. How do you hold on to hope even when the outcome isn’t what you wanted? Matthew 26: 36-3936 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, “Stay here while I go and pray over there.” 37 When he took Peter and Zeb... Read More
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Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14
by Aly Chisum on March 18th, 2025
This song, “If You Want Me To,” by Ginny Owens came out in 1999! Some of us were mere babes, some had already lived a lot of life. And now, 26 years later, the same is still true- we are all going through different things that often feel scary!What strikes me about this song, every time I listen (and often have a few tears), is the line “‘cause I’m not who I was when I took my first step, and I’m ... Read More
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The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13
by Ian Goymer on March 17th, 2025
When I listen to this song, I hear someone who is dealing with the burden that is their fears and worries and who feels others do not fully understand this burden. The words “if you could see it through my eyes, you'd understand my fear of everything in sight” demonstrate how lonely it can feel to be burdened with something others either do not or cannot fully appreciate. I imagine this is much li... Read More
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Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12
by Tim Ziegler on March 16th, 2025
This song and this cover speaks to the fear of losing someone you love. I think maybe Jesus Christ as feeling this in the garden. It was a night of saying goodbye to friends—friends who laughed, cried, healed, shared meals and drank wine. Friends who journeyed together. Friends who would wind up at the foot of the cross. Matthew 26: 36-3936 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Geth... Read More
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Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11
by Charity Goodwin on March 15th, 2025
The Funeral Procession by Ellis Wilson (1899-1977) was made popular when it appeared in the living room of The Cosby Show.What does community look like for you on your grief journeys? John 11: 17-3717 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was a little less than two miles from Jerusalem. 19 Many Jews had come to comfort Martha and Mary afte... Read More
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The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10
by Charity Goodwin on March 14th, 2025
Melancholy, a sculpture created by Albert Gyorgy, portrays the void that grief leaves us with. The sculpture depicts a figure made of copper sitting on a bench slumped over, with a giant hole in the center of it. This hole represents the massive void that we all feel when we lose someone dear to us, and many people have expressed their appreciation for this sculpture for it portraying the exact em... Read More
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Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9
by Laura Forster-Reuther on March 13th, 2025
In November of 2022 we lost our oldest son Jakob at the young age of 28. He was a beautiful light in this world. He had disabilities and despite that was the happiest kid! When he died, I knew that I wanted to honor him with a tattoo. This is so special to me because I believe that butterflies and cardinals signify that your loved one is near. Jakob’s siblings, Emily & Lukas wanted the song “I Mus... Read More
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Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8
by Charity Goodwin on March 12th, 2025
Tombstones // Jacob Lawrence From: https://whitney.org/collection/works/1192 Characteristic of Jacob Lawrence’s work in the 1940s are subjects drawn from the streets and interiors of Harlem. Although he believed that you cannot “tell a story in a single painting,” Lawrence occasionally worked outside the series structure for which he is best known. In uninflected areas of bold color, Tombstones pi... Read More
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Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7
by Gabriel Rosario on March 11th, 2025
A painting by the Gabriel Rosario (son of Pastor Charity Goodwin). This painting was about shadows and light and created by Gabriel Rosario, 13 years old. His the son of Pastor Charity and is on the autism spectrum with emerging language, yet his art speaks. Perhaps grief is similar to lurking in the shadows. John 11: 17-3717 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb f... Read More
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When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6
by Jenny Huffman on March 10th, 2025
A water color painting by the daughter of Jenny Huffman. My daughter experienced a lot of medical trauma when she was younger. Eventually we started seeing a therapist together to work through some of the Big Feelings her body held from that time, even though her mind could not remember. This is a water color painting she made in therapy when she was 8 years old. On this particular day the Sadness... Read More
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Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5
by Adam Baker on March 9th, 2025
A drawing from Pastor Adam Baker on the sorrow of Jesus. Jesus wept because Jesus mourned.When his dear friend died and he arrived too late to stop it, Jesus’ tears flowed freely, joining those of Lazarus’ sisters and other friends. Although he would be known as ‘the water of life,’ Jesus still experienced death as any other human being often does: starkly, with the weight of grief and loss weighi... Read More
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The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4
by Andy Bryan on March 8th, 2025
Watch this video from Pastor Andy Bryan discussing the importance of knowing where we stop and our neighbors start. Matthew 4:1-11 (CEB)Temptation of Jesus4 Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. 2 After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones t... Read More
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Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3
by Elizabeth Hogan on March 7th, 2025
Watch this video from Elizabeth Hogan (Director of Gathering Kids) discussing the importance of courage and connection. Matthew 4:1-11 (CEB)Temptation of Jesus4 Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. 2 After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these ston... Read More
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Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2
by Aaron Carter on March 5th, 2025
Watch this video from Pastor Aaron, which asks the question, what does it look like to follow the Spirit through our own discomfort? Matthew 4:1-11 (CEB)Temptation of Jesus4 Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. 2 After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, comma... Read More
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Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1
by Charity Goodwin on March 5th, 2025
Watch this video from Pastor Charity, which asks the question, what if we rely on Jesus during Lent more than ever have before? Matthew 4:1-11 (CEB)Temptation of Jesus4 Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. 2 After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command th... Read More
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Recent
Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21
March 25th, 2025
Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20
March 24th, 2025
A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19
March 23rd, 2025
Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3
March 22nd, 2025
Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18
March 22nd, 2025
Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July